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NFL clears Bears on Cutler concussion

The NFL has determined the Chicago Bears did not violate proper concussion-testing protocol on Sunday night by allowing quarterback Jay Cutler to finish the second quarter after taking a blow to the head.

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NFL clears Bears on Cutler concussion

Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports
4:15 p.m. EST November 12, 2012

Trainers look at Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler after Cutler took a late hit by Houston Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins in the first half Sunday. The Texans won 13-6. Dobbins was called for an unnecessary roughness penalty on the play. Cutler did not return in the second half after suffering a concussion.(Photo: Nam Y. Huh, AP)

Story Highlights

After suffering a concussion, Cutler did not return for the second half

Alex Smith of the 49ers and Michael Vick of the Eagles also were knocked out of games Sunday with concussions

Texans' Tim Dobbins, who hit Cutler, is probably facing a fine, though he insists he's not at fault

The NFL has determined the Chicago Bears did not violate proper concussion-testing protocol on Sunday night by allowing quarterback Jay Cutler to finish the second quarter after taking a blow to the head from the Houston Texas' Tim Dobbins.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFL has no issues with the way the Bears handled Cutler's concussion, which knocked him out for the second half of the loss to Houston.

"Our medical advisors follow up on any significant injury," Aiello wrote in an email to USA TODAY Sports. "On this one, we learned that the team properly handled the injury and removed him from the game as soon as he showed symptoms and was diagnosed with a concussion."

Aiello did not provide any further specifics.

Cutler was one of three quarterbacks knocked out of games by concussion -- the Eagles' Michael Vick and 49ers' Alex Smith were the others.

Dobbins was flagged for the hit and will surely be facing a fine, even if he doesn't think the hit was illegal.

"I did not hit him in his head, and actually he ran into me," Dobbins said, per CSNChicago.com. "I just felt like he was going to take off and run with the ball and I thought he was past the line."